title: Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography: is the centre better? The case against centralisation of ERCP services.
abstract: More than 48 000 endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatographies (ERCP) are performed in the UK per annum; the majority within district general hospitals. The proposal for centralisation of ERCP services is based on evidence that technical success, length of stay and complication rates are related to the numbers of procedures performed. Local units wishing to continue their ERCP practice, must demonstrate that they are performing sufficient numbers of procedures in a safe, timely and competent fashion.
authors.forename: A Frank
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Muller
keywords: Biliary Endoscopy; Diagnostic And Therapeutic Endoscopy; Endoscopic Retrograde Pancreatography